I own both the DFX and the Explorer. Both have their good traits. In fact, both are very good. I'm just going to leave the merits of which detector is best at that.
What is important is by owning both, it has helped me become a better detectorist. By being a better detectorist it will help find more treasure. That being said, and the fact that you are "brand new" as you state, allow me to comment a little further.
If you have bought both the DFX and the Explorer, you have brought to yourself brain overload for a few weeks or months. To properly learn the machines and just basic metal detecting in general, you will be doing a lot of reading and head scratching. Don't let frustration set it when you have only found a few new pennys and a handful of pull-tabs after your first few trips out. That just happens, but it is also part of the learning process, and it don't matter which detector you use.
I went metal detecting back in the early summer at a Drive-In theatre near my home. When I asked permission to hunt there, I was surprised and delighted to learn that the person granting the permission was also a treasure hunter and soon produced an amazing array of Civil War relics he had found. He had recently moved to our area to operate the Drive-In. He also produced 7 metal detectors. He said, "Sure, hunt all you want, I hope you find a ton." All the while, his eight year son was following every move we made. When I got ready to hunt, his son asked if he could come too. So, I had a companion along.
He chatted every step of the way, and that can be a little bothersome, but to have a nice place to hunt, I made the exception.
Soon we were finding clad coins every few steps. Everyone of them were going right into his little pockets. So early on, I made the arrangement with him, that all silver was mine, just in case. Soon his pockets were bulging, and mine were empty.
This was a warm June day, and soon he headed for the concession stand and he came back with a large Root Beer with two straws and he brought me a Sprite. While he was in there, he showed his Dad what "he" had found, and soon Dad, and an older step son were on the scene making every step with me.
After about two hours in the hot sun, I headed toward my truck. The little boy headed into his house to count his money. He was just babbling on and having a great time. His Dad was still chatting with me as I made it to my truck when he happened to mention that his wife (the two sons mom) had died in March. That little boy who had lost his Mom only months before had spent his first really happy day since her funeral. I let the tailgait down and sat and talked with the dad, who really needed someone to talk too. We talked for quite a while and in the end I had made three good friends.
I said all of that to say this...
First, always ask permission and do the other things that keep this hobby in a good light.
Next, not all the treasure you find will be beneath the coil of your metal detector. Learn your machines well, and also learn "from" them. Don't let others convince you that you have to dislike one detector in order to appreciate another one. I enjoy using both of them.
When you get the basics down on how to use one or both of them, get out into the field and hunt. No one ever finds much with the detector at home. Let each hunt teach you a little more. These forums can teach quite a bit as some of the contributors have excellent tips that you won't find anywhere else.
And, some contributors feed you a line too. That is just a part of it. You may need to bump your discrimination up every now and then when it comes to that, but it is all in good fun.
Welcome to the hobby.
HH Alton
"> I'm sure we'll be doing business again though. Take care.